do_v and_o this_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o if_o according_a to_o galen_n good_a diet_n preserve_v health_n and_o consequent_o prolong_v life_n may_v we_o not_o allow_v the_o same_o efficacy_n nay_o great_a to_o the_o wise_a government_n of_o the_o soul_n now_o the_o body_n receive_v life_n from_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n therefore_o if_o this_o be_v manage_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o true_a holiness_n which_o be_v not_o prescribe_v by_o galen_n or_o hypocrates_n but_o which_o we_o learn_v from_o heaven_n no_o man_n can_v deny_v but_o it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v long_a life_n from_o a_o perseverance_n in_o that_o i_o remember_v that_o i_o have_v read_v of_o a_o certain_a rabbi_n that_o wonder_v that_o man_n shall_v live_v so_o long_o in_o babylon_n when_o it_o be_v situate_v so_o low_o which_o place_n avicenna_n take_v notice_n be_v very_o unhealthy_a but_o when_o he_o be_v inform_v that_o they_o often_o frequent_v the_o synagogue_n he_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v the_o like_a i_o meet_v with_o in_o guemera_n de_fw-fr tahanit_n c._n 4._o where_o some_o people_n ask_v how_o they_o may_v prolong_v their_o life_n the_o wise_a man_n answer_v that_o it_o may_v be_v do_v partly_o by_o a_o natural_a cause_n and_o partly_o by_o a_o moral_a one_o viz._n the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o have_v read_v also_o of_o a_o merchant_n who_o live_v in_o the_o island_n of_o cyprus_n that_o order_v it_o to_o be_v proclaim_v that_o he_o have_v abundance_n of_o sweet_a spice_n to_o sell_v that_o be_v excellent_a to_o preserve_v life_n and_o when_o a_o great_a many_o people_n come_v to_o purchase_v they_o he_o pull_v out_o a_o psalter_n out_o of_o his_o bag_n and_o show_v they_o the_o 34th_o psalm_n where_o david_n say_v v._o 13_o 14._o what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o desire_v life_n and_o love_v many_o day_n that_o he_o may_v see_v good_a keep_v thy_o tongue_n from_o evil_n and_o thy_o lip_n from_o speak_a guile_n by_o which_o he_o will_v intimate_v that_o piety_n be_v the_o best_a aromatic_a to_o procure_v long_a life_n beside_o the_o meditation_n upon_o god_n word_n be_v the_o mean_n to_o prolong_v life_n and_o restore_v the_o natural_a heat_n this_o be_v strong_o confirm_v by_o solomon_n exhortation_n for_o that_o most_o wise_a king_n where_o he_o speak_v about_o the_o law_n say_v length_n of_o day_n be_v in_o her_o right-hand_a and_o in_o her_o lefthand_n riches_n and_o honour_n prov._n 3.16_o also_o chap._n 9.11_o by_o i_o thy_o day_n shall_v be_v multiply_v and_o in_o another_o place_n chap._n 3.8_o it_o shall_v be_v health_n to_o my_o navel_n and_o marrow_n to_o my_o bone_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o scripture_n say_v man_n shall_v not_o live_v by_o bread_n only_o but_o by_o every_o word_n that_o proceed_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n deut._n 83._o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o man_n be_v nourish_v by_o spiritual_a as_o well_o as_o corporal_a food_n and_o this_o i_o believe_v be_v the_o reason_n why_o solomon_n compare_v the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n prov._n 3.18_o because_o as_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n which_o be_v in_o paradise_n have_v such_o a_o virtue_n that_o whoever_o taste_v the_o fruit_n of_o it_o grow_v young_a and_o vigorous_a again_o so_o the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v like_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n have_v the_o same_o effect_n in_o like_a manner_n if_o adam_n have_v not_o sin_v though_o his_o body_n be_v compound_v of_o a_o mixture_n of_o the_o four_o element_n he_o may_v have_v live_v a_o great_a many_o year_n long_o and_o at_o last_o his_o soul_n together_o with_o his_o body_n may_v have_v be_v translate_v into_o heaven_n as_o it_o happen_v to_o enoch_n and_o elias_n and_o all_o other_o will_v have_v enjoy_v the_o like_a privilege_n who_o have_v live_v in_o perfect_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n hence_o the_o rabbin_n believe_v that_o when_o the_o law_n be_v give_v to_o moses_n god_n place_v the_o israelite_n in_o the_o same_o state_n that_o adam_n be_v in_o before_o the_o fall_n but_o that_o happy_a condition_n last_v not_o long_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o abominable_a idolatry_n in_o worship_v the_o calf_n therefore_o david_n say_v ps_n 82.7_o 8._o i_o have_v say_v you_o be_v god_n and_o all_o of_o you_o be_v child_n of_o the_o most_o high_a but_o you_o shall_v die_v like_o man_n etc._n etc._n what_o i_o have_v mention_v already_o do_v notable_o illustrate_v and_o confirm_v that_o singular_a example_n which_o be_v record_v in_o guemera_n jebamot_n c._n 12._o of_o a_o certain_a family_n in_o jerusalem_n out_o of_o which_o whosoever_o be_v bear_v seldom_o live_v above_o eighteen_o year_n which_o thing_n be_v relate_v to_o r._n johanan_n ben_n zachay_n and_o be_v ask_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o he_o bid_v they_o inquire_v if_o they_o be_v not_o of_o eli_n posterity_n who_o god_n have_v threaten_v save_v 1_o sam._n 2.33_o all_o the_o increase_n of_o thing_n house_n shall_v die_v in_o the_o flower_n of_o their_o age._n and_o it_o be_v discover_v that_o they_o be_v derive_v from_o he_o upon_o which_o he_o admonish_v they_o that_o if_o they_o desire_v god_n will_v grant_v they_o long_o live_v they_o shall_v very_o diligent_o meditate_v upon_o his_o law_n this_o wise_a man_n advice_n have_v its_o effect_n and_o experience_n show_v it_o and_o our_o of_o gratitude_n the_o family_n will_v ever_o after_o be_v call_v by_o his_o name_n our_o rabbin_n likewise_o report_n that_o the_o sabbath-day_n on_o which_o david_n die_v he_o be_v very_a intent_n in_o meditate_v on_o god_n law_n which_o when_o the_o angel_n samuel_n who_o be_v the_o common_a executioner_n of_o death_n perceive_v he_o can_v not_o execute_v his_o office_n wherefore_o he_o contrive_v this_o stratagem_n that_o a_o high_a wind_n shall_v vehement_o shake_v the_o tree_n that_o grow_v in_o david_n court_n that_o may_v occasion_v his_o come_n abroad_o which_o it_o do_v but_o as_o he_o be_v go_v down_o some_o step_n he_o miss_v one_o of_o they_o and_o fall_v down_o upon_o which_o the_o king_n be_v in_o a_o consternation_n do_v not_o think_v upon_o god_n law_n so_o his_o meditation_n cease_v his_o life_n cease_v also_o the_o rabbin_n in_o this_o place_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o david_n obtain_v such_o favour_n from_o god_n by_o his_o sanctity_n and_o his_o devout_a hymn_n that_o death_n can_v have_v have_v no_o power_n over_o he_o if_o he_o have_v not_o commit_v adultery_n and_o murder_n save_o only_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o uriah_n say_v the_o scripture_n 1_o king_n 15.5_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o our_o life_n may_v be_v prolong_v by_o observe_v god_n law_n and_o meditate_v thereon_o so_o that_o if_o any_o one_o will_v perfect_o and_o constant_o observe_v the_o law_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o like_a elias_n he_o will_v never_o die_v for_o i_o believe_v this_o may_v be_v miraculous_o do_v two_o way_n first_o by_o preserve_v the_o radical_a moisture_n in_o its_o due_a state_n second_o by_o preserve_v the_o virtue_n of_o our_o food_n as_o to_o the_o first_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o example_n of_o moses_n who_o live_v forty_o day_n in_o mount_n sinai_n without_o meat_n or_o drink_n then_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o be_v instead_o of_o food_n preserve_v the_o radical_a moisture_n in_o its_o due_a vigour_n and_o strength_n the_o other_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o example_n of_o elias_n for_o the_o angel_n say_v unto_o he_o arise_v and_o eat_v because_o the_o journey_n be_v too_o great_a for_o thou_o 1_o king_n 19.7_o 8._o and_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n it_o be_v add_v that_o he_o go_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o that_o meat_n 40_o day_n and_o 40_o night_n for_o the_o virtue_n in_o the_o meat_n be_v preserve_v as_o if_o he_o have_v but_o just_a eat_v it_o so_o that_o he_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o any_o fatigue_n all_o those_o 40_o day_n and_o night_n we_o must_v not_o forget_v the_o wonderful_a story_n of_o elias_n and_o the_o woman_n of_o sarepta_n for_o we_o read_v how_o the_o prophet_n say_v unto_o she_o 1_o king_n 17.14_o the_o barrel_n of_o meal_n shall_v not_o waste_v neither_o shall_v the_o cruise_n of_o oil_n fail_v and_o so_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v for_o as_o much_o as_o be_v take_v out_o one_o day_n be_v restore_v the_o next_o thus_o the_o radical_a moisture_n which_o be_v like_o oil_n be_v miraculous_o preserve_v in_o its_o due_a quantity_n and_o quality_n by_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o piety_n i_o say_v miraculous_o because_o it_o can_v be_v natural_o and_o when_o i_o propose_v this_o question_n to_o zacuthus_fw-la a_o very_a learned_a and_o worthy_a physician_n among_o we_o he_o courteous_o answer_v in_o a_o particular_a treatise_n that_o it_o
manifest_a by_o experience_n that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o astrologer_n common_o correspond_v with_o the_o event_n and_o that_o they_o have_v often_o foretell_v a_o short_a life_n or_o a_o long_a one_o a_o happy_a or_o a_o miserable_a one_o therefore_o these_o thing_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o star_n 2._o every_o one_o be_v sensible_a that_o the_o generation_n and_o corruption_n of_o all_o sublunary_a thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o heaven_n for_o we_o may_v discern_v as_o the_o air_n be_v more_o tempestuous_a or_o calm_a so_o it_o insinuate_v itself_o into_o man_n body_n and_o as_o it_o be_v attract_v for_o respiration_n so_o it_o affect_v their_o mind_n therefore_o without_o dispute_v the_o heaven_n have_v some_o power_n over_o humane_a body_n 3._o the_o three_o reason_n be_v draw_v from_o authority_n for_o the_o scripture_n speak_v thus_o of_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o moon_n gen._n 1.18_o and_o god_n make_v two_o great_a light_n the_o great_a light_n to_o rule_v the_o day_n and_o the_o lesser_a light_n to_o rule_v the_o night_n he_o make_v the_o star_n also_o here_o r._n moses_n gerundensis_n ask_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o that_o dominion_n it_o be_v that_o dominion_n say_v he_o which_o the_o star_n have_v over_o the_o body_n of_o man_n upon_o which_o they_o impress_v several_a virtue_n according_a to_o their_o favourable_a or_o malevolent_a aspect_n it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n chap._n 5.20_o they_o fight_v from_o heaven_n the_o star_n in_o their_o course_n fight_v against_o sisera_n likewise_o in_o isaiah_n 47.13_o thou_o be_v weary_v in_o the_o multitude_n of_o thy_o counsel_n let_v now_o the_o astrologer_n the_o stargazer_n the_o monthly_a prognosticator_n stand_v up_o and_o save_v thou_o from_o these_o thing_n that_o shall_v come_v upon_o thou_o also_o job_n say_v chap._n 3.3_o let_v the_o day_n perish_v wherein_o i_o be_v bear_v and_o the_o night_n in_o which_o it_o be_v say_v there_o be_v a_o man_n child_n conceive_v where_o he_o refer_v all_o his_o evil_n to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o conception_n or_o his_o nativity_n from_o all_o these_o thing_n the_o virtue_n of_o the_o star_n be_v collect_v the_o talmudist_n also_o in_o tract_n moed_n katam_fw-la cap._n ult_n seem_v to_o entertain_v this_o opinion_n for_o they_o say_v that_o child_n life_n and_o food_n depend_v upon_o the_o star_n and_o in_o another_o place_n they_o affirm_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o there_o vice_n and_o virtue_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o planet_n under_o which_o every_o man_n be_v bear_v and_o they_o take_v notice_n of_o saturn_n jupiter_n mars_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o same_o place_n it_o be_v dispute_v whether_o or_o no_o the_o reason_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v find_v out_o at_o the_o birth_n or_o conception_n here_o their_o sentiment_n be_v plain_o discover_v to_o we_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o must_v take_v notice_n that_o although_o this_o opinion_n may_v be_v introduce_v among_o the_o jew_n yet_o they_o unanimous_o consent_v that_o the_o star_n do_v only_o incline_v but_o not_o necessitate_v the_o will_n and_o choice_n of_o good_a men._n bradâ—â—_n 〈◊〉_d behinat_fw-la olam_fw-la a_o eminent_a orator_n among_o they_o have_v these_o when_o say_v he_o you_o look_v towards_o heaven_n and_o consider_v the_o star_n above_o never_o imagine_v or_o believe_v that_o they_o have_v any_o power_n over_o the_o will_n as_o the_o ancient_a astrologer_n fancy_v for_o they_o have_v no_o authority_n at_o all_o over_o those_o thing_n that_o depend_v upon_o freewill_n as_o to_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o man_n viz._n life_n honour_n and_o riches_n all_o agree_v that_o they_o who_o obey_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o the_o planet_n and_o r._n moses_n gerund_n say_v that_o god_n be_v above_o all_o and_o can_v act_n see_v dispose_v of_o and_o govern_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o every_o one_o desert_n for_o this_o reason_n the_o talmudick_n doctor_n in_o one_o place_n deny_v that_o there_o be_v a_o planet_n belong_v to_o israel_n and_o in_o another_o affirm_v it_o admit_v a_o distinction_n they_o be_v both_o true_a 〈◊〉_d as_o aben_n ezra_n remark_n upon_o exd._n chp_n 34._o no_o planet_n reign_v over_o the_o fews_n while_o they_o observe_v the_o law_n but_o when_o they_o neglect_v it_o likewise_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n say_v chap._n 10.2_o be_v not_o dismay_v at_o the_o sign_n of_o heaven_n for_o the_o heathen_a be_v dismay_v at_o they_o he_o that_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v more_o of_o these_o thing_n may_v consult_v the_o 18_o book_n chap._n 2._o of_o josephus_n antiquity_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o where_o he_o treat_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o opinion_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o of_o he_o subjoin_v these_o word_n they_o ascribe_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v act_v to_o fate_n but_o however_o they_o grant_v the_o assent_n of_o man_n will_n allege_v that_o god_n use_v this_o moderation_n that_o when_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v by_o his_o counsel_n yet_o man_n have_v the_o liberty_n of_o embrace_v virtue_n or_o vice_n in_o another_o place_n b._n 16._o c._n ult_n discourse_v of_o the_o unhappy_a death_n of_o alexander_n and_o aristobulus_n the_o son_n of_o cruel_a herod_n he_o say_v it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o doubt_v whether_o that_o crime_n be_v to_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o young_a gentleman_n by_o which_o they_o have_v long_o incur_v their_o father_n displeasure_n and_o hatred_n or_o upon_o the_o old_a king_n cruelty_n and_o immoderate_a desire_n of_o glory_n and_o sovereignty_n or_o upon_o fortune_n who_o power_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n can_v oppose_v hence_o we_o be_v persuade_v that_o she_o have_v settle_v beforehand_o all_o humane_a action_n which_o must_v necessary_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o this_o be_v the_o power_n which_o we_o call_v fate_n because_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o what_o it_o can_v accomplish_v so_o much_o for_o josephus_n here_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o by_o fate_n he_o mean_v the_o virtue_n or_o influence_n of_o the_o planet_n and_o he_o observe_v notwithstanding_o these_o man_n have_v the_o liberty_n to_o be_v virtuous_a or_o profligate_v and_o a_o little_a after_o that_o no_o humane_a reason_n can_v resist_v its_o power_n but_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a one_o can_v such_o as_o servant_n prayer_n alm_n deed_n sincere_a repentance_n and_o the_o like_a he_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o see_v a_o more_o accurate_a discourse_n upon_o this_o subject_a may_v be_v satisfy_v by_o the_o famous_a and_o incomparable_a gerard_n jo._n vossius_fw-la in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o his_o most_o learned_a treatise_n of_o idolatry_n now_o i_o have_v show_v the_o opinion_n of_o our_o learned_a doctor_n and_o of_o the_o astrologer_n concern_v the_o influence_n of_o the_o planet_n i_o proceed_v to_o my_o dispute_n about_o the_o term_n of_o life_n which_o according_a to_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n be_v that_o which_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o star_n thus_o r._n bahye_n very_o often_o say_v that_o a_o man_n life_n be_v decree_v by_o a_o planet_n in_o reference_n to_o that_o of_o 1_o sam._n 26.10_o or_o his_o day_n shall_v come_v but_o especial_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n in_o tanchuma_n be_v of_o this_o opinion_n who_o by_o those_o word_n in_o gen_n 1.14_o and_o for_o day_n and_o year_n allegorical_o understand_v the_o day_n and_o year_n of_o a_o man_n life_n which_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n mutual_o govern_v thus_o much_o for_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o astrologer_n sect_n 4._o the_o physician_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n for_o they_o follow_v galen_n and_o avicenna_n the_o chief_a of_o that_o profession_n maintain_v that_o life_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o a_o man_n body_n consist_v in_o the_o harmony_n and_o proportion_n of_o the_o quality_n which_o result_n from_o the_o four_o element_n out_o of_o which_o it_o be_v compound_v but_o especial_o in_o a_o due_a proportion_n of_o heat_n and_o moisture_n so_o that_o a_o man_n live_v as_o long_o as_o the_o natural_a heat_n continue_v for_o be_v of_o a_o fugitive_n nature_n it_o consume_v the_o radical_a moisture_n and_o when_o that_o be_v dry_v up_o and_o the_o other_o extinct_a we_o die_v so_o avicenna_n say_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o we_o shall_v die_v unless_o the_o radical_a moisture_n be_v absorb_v and_o the_o nutural_a heat_n consume_v according_a to_o this_o opinion_n every_o one_o life_n depend_v upon_o a_o good_a temperament_n and_o from_o thence_o physician_n can_v foretell_v the_o disposition_n and_o manner_n of_o child_n that_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v not_o by_o gaze_v upon_o the_o heaven_n as_o the_o astrologer_n do_v but_o by_o observe_v the_o fortune_n that_o attend_v the_o mother_n while_o she_o be_v pregnant_a but_o principal_o that_o of_o
these_o follow_a reason_n 1._o because_o god_n promise_v long_a life_n upon_o the_o observation_n of_o some_o of_o his_o commandment_n as_o exod._n 20.12_o honour_n thy_o father_n and_o thy_o mother_n that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v long_o upon_o the_o land_n deut._n 4.40_o and_o 32.47_o now_o if_o our_o day_n be_v decree_v by_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n this_o promise_n will_v be_v vain_a and_o no_o body_n can_v exceed_v they_o much_o less_o can_v god_n deceive_v we_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o make_v his_o life_n long_o or_o short_a as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o 2._o we_o find_v several_a person_n earnest_o desire_v god_n to_o spare_v their_o life_n so_o hezekiah_n 2_o king_n 20.2_o 3._o then_o he_o turn_v his_o face_n to_o the_o wall_n and_o pray_v unto_o the_o lord_n say_v i_o beseech_v thou_o o_o lord_n remember_v now_o how_o i_o have_v walk_v before_o thou_o in_o truth_n and_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n and_o david_n ps_n 61._o cain_n be_v afraid_a of_o death_n say_v gen._n 14.14_o every_o one_o that_o find_v i_o shall_v stay_v i_o there_o be_v other_o that_o have_v desire_v to_o die_v as_o eli_n 1_o king_n 19.4_o it_o be_v enough_o now_o o_o lord_n take_v away_o my_o life_n for_o i_o be_o not_o better_o than_o my_o father_n and_o jonah_n chap._n 4.8_o he_o faint_v and_o wish_v in_o himself_o to_o die_v and_o say_v it_o be_v better_a for_o i_o to_o die_v than_o to_o live_v now_o if_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v absolute_o predestinate_v the_o prayer_n of_o hezekiah_n cain_n and_o david_n be_v vain_a and_o those_o of_o elias_n and_o jonah_n superfluous_a hence_o the_o talmudist_n in_o guemara_n berachet_n say_v that_o if_o any_o one_o come_v into_o a_o city_n and_o find_v it_o in_o a_o uproar_n he_o may_v lift_v up_o his_o voice_n and_o pray_v to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v avert_v that_o evil_a from_o his_o family_n or_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v desire_v after_o his_o wife_n be_v with_o child_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o male_a certain_o such_o petition_n be_v frivolous_a because_o when_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v it_o can_v be_v alter_v this_o we_o may_v apply_v to_o our_o present_a purpose_n for_o if_o all_o thing_n be_v decree_v from_o eternity_n it_o be_v absurd_a to_o be_v solicitous_a or_o careful_a about_o any_o thing_n 3._o the_o truth_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v mighty_o confirm_v by_o the_o word_n which_o god_n speak_v to_o solomon_n 1_o king_n 3.11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o solomon_n may_v ask_v for_o life_n as_o a_o contingent_a thing_n and_o when_o god_n confer_v on_o he_o wisdom_n riches_n and_o honour_n he_o promise_v he_o life_n too_o not_o absolute_o but_o conditional_o if_o thou_o will_v walk_v in_o my_o way_n etc._n etc._n 4._o if_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v unalterable_o settle_v no_o man_n can_v prevent_v death_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v god_n exhort_v man_n to_o beware_v of_o danger_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o misfortune_n deut._n 20.5_o 6_o 7._o and_o in_o another_o place_n chap._n 22.8_o when_o thou_o build_v a_o new_a house_n than_o thou_o shall_v make_v a_o battlement_n for_o thy_o roof_n that_o thou_o bring_v not_o blood_n upon_o thy_o house_n if_o any_o man_n fall_v from_o thence_o therefore_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v not_o fix_v by_o a_o absolute_a predestination_n 5._o david_n himself_o say_v 1_o sam._n 27.10_o as_o the_o lord_n live_v the_o lord_n shall_v smite_v he_o or_o his_o day_n shall_v come_v to_o die_v or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n and_o perish_v if_o by_o those_o word_n or_o his_o day_n shall_v come_v to_o die_v he_o understand_v the_o day_n that_o be_v decree_v by_o god_n it_o be_v superfluous_a to_o mention_v the_o three_o kind_n of_o death_n for_o which_o soever_o have_v happen_v it_o will_v have_v be_v appoint_v beforehand_o and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v plain_a those_o word_n be_v false_a for_o saul_n may_v have_v be_v smite_v by_o the_o lord_n as_o well_o as_o slay_v in_o the_o battle_n 6._o there_o be_v not_o one_o place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o affirm_v this_o predestination_n but_o we_o may_v only_o collect_v from_o the_o forecited_a passage_n that_o there_o be_v a_o term_n of_o life_n which_o as_o i_o have_v explain_v it_o depend_v upon_o the_o time_n the_o heaven_n and_o the_o constitution_n so_o job_n say_v chap._n 14.5_o thou_o have_v appoint_v his_o bound_n that_o he_o can_v pass_v by_o which_o he_o mean_v that_o all_o man_n must_v die_v and_o david_n ps_n 89.49_o what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o live_v and_o shall_v not_o see_v death_n and_o in_o another_o place_n 1_o chron._n 29.15_o our_o day_n on_o earth_n be_v as_o a_o shadow_n and_o there_o be_v none_o abide_v as_o for_o job_n say_v chap._n 14.5_o the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o he_o mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o god_n pre-science_n because_o god_n know_v and_o foresee_v all_o thing_n from_o eternity_n book_n ii_o whether_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v alterable_a or_o unalterable_a sect_n 1._o have_v in_o the_o former_a book_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o term_n to_o every_o man_n life_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o next_o place_n inquire_v whether_o this_o term_n be_v so_o fix_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o exceed_v or_o prevent_v it_o or_o on_o the_o contrary_a whether_o it_o be_v mutable_a all_o the_o jew_n unanimous_o consent_v that_o this_o term_n be_v alterable_a though_o it_o depend_v upon_o the_o planet_n the_o constitution_n or_o the_o variety_n of_o time_n hereupon_o r._n bahye_n say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o more_o eminent_a power_n above_o that_o of_o the_o star_n which_o order_n thing_n by_o reward_n and_o punishment_n the_o same_o be_v confirm_v by_o aben_n ezra_n upon_o exod._n ch._n 23._o where_o assign_v the_o dependence_n of_o life_n upon_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o body_n he_o say_v that_o the_o natural_a heat_n and_o moisture_n of_o every_o one_o that_o serve_v god_n be_v augment_v and_o then_o a_o man_n exceed_v the_o term_n of_o life_n therefore_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v alterable_a this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o man_n take_v such_o care_n to_o preserve_v their_o health_n and_o when_o it_o be_v impair_v to_o recover_v it_o this_o make_v they_o so_o often_o change_v the_o air._n this_o make_v they_o drink_v those_o medicinal_a potion_n that_o be_v to_o nauseous_a in_o a_o word_n this_o first_o make_v man_n study_v and_o then_o practise_v physic_n and_o indeed_o as_o it_o be_v very_o ridiculous_a to_o aspire_v to_o that_o preferment_n which_o by_o no_o pain_n or_o industry_n can_v be_v procure_v so_o i_o think_v it_o exceed_v simple_a to_o be_v careful_a about_o the_o preservation_n of_o our_o life_n when_o the_o term_n be_v immutable_a and_o it_o can_v be_v prolong_v nay_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o the_o forth_o to_o bring_v forth_o plant_n and_o herb_n by_o the_o bounty_n of_o god_n for_o no_o other_o design_n than_o the_o use_n of_o physic_n but_o that_o we_o may_v establish_v this_o opinion_n better_o let_v we_o consult_v the_o 3d_o chap._n of_o eccl._n and_o the_o one_a verse_n in_o which_o place_n solomon_n affirm_v that_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v alterable_a there_o be_v a_o time_n to_o be_v bear_v and_o a_o time_n to_o die_v here_o we_o see_v that_o our_o birth_n and_o death_n be_v parallel_v forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v both_o a_o certain_a time_n now_o if_o by_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n that_o term_n of_o life_n be_v understand_v which_o be_v unalterable_o decree_v by_o god_n than_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o hour_n of_o our_o nativity_n but_o if_o this_o be_v grant_v the_o very_a name_n of_o nature_n be_v destroy_v for_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o god_n decree_v the_o birth_n of_o abraham_n his_o long_a life_n his_o marriage_n which_o sarah_n her_o conception_n and_o delivery_n of_o a_o son_n which_o be_v absurd_a when_o common_a experience_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o thing_n depend_v upon_o freewill_n if_o any_o one_o inquire_v how_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o there_o be_v some_o time_n of_o life_n appoint_v rabbi_n solomon_n answer_v the_o time_n of_o our_o formation_n be_v complete_v in_o nine_o month_n but_o that_o of_o death_n alter_v according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o age._n and_o as_o i_o say_v before_o this_o be_v common_o the_o space_n of_o 70_o year_n this_o be_v premise_v i_o conclude_v that_o the_o space_n of_o 70_o year_n or_o rather_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v uncertain_a and_o mutable_a when_o the_o space_n of_o nine_o month_n or_o the_o time_n of_o pregnancy_n
his_o body_n be_v infirm_a from_o his_o birth_n or_o a_o pestilence_n or_o a_o famine_n infest_v that_o part_n of_o the_o country_n where_o he_o live_v here_o we_o may_v discern_v by_o what_o cause_n maimonides_n declare_v our_o life_n may_v be_v shorten_v viz._n by_o a_o ill_a complexion_n by_o a_o loose_a course_n of_o live_v by_o divine_a providence_n by_o plague_n or_o famine_n i_o proceed_v now_o to_o show_v that_o our_o life_n may_v be_v prolong_v sect_n 5._o god_n in_o several_a place_n promise_v long_a life_n to_o good_a man_n and_o those_o who_o obey_v his_o law_n as_o exod._n 20.12_o honour_n thy_o father_n and_o thy_o mother_n that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v long_o in_o the_o land_n likewise_o in_o deut._n 17.20_o and_o 22.7_o and_o in_o psal_n 91.16_o with_o long_a life_n will_v i_o satisfy_v he_o prov._n 28.16_o he_o that_o hate_v covetousness_n shall_v prolong_v his_o day_n 9.11_o for_o by_o i_o thy_o day_n shall_v be_v multiply_v and_o the_o year_n of_o thy_o life_n shall_v be_v increase_v and_o in_o many_o other_o place_n this_o promise_n be_v express_o give_v by_o god_n to_o holy_a and_o religious_a men._n but_o for_o all_o this_o there_o be_v a_o great_a dispute_n among_o our_o doctor_n about_o the_o quality_n and_o form_n of_o this_o promise_n r._n moses_n gerund_n think_v it_o be_v extend_v to_o old_a age_n i._n e._n 70_o or_o 80_o year_n for_o which_o reason_n upon_o those_o word_n exod._n chap._n 23.26_o he_o say_v the_o meaning_n be_v he_o shall_v not_o die_v in_o battle_n or_o by_o pestilence_n or_o by_o change_n of_o air_n but_o by_o old_a age._n r._n david_n kimchi_n be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n and_o declare_v it_o upon_o that_o text_n in_o 2_o sam._n 7.12_o when_o thy_o day_n be_v fulfil_v and_o thou_o shall_v sleep_v with_o thy_o father_n i._n e._n when_o thou_o be_v old_a and_o have_v live_v the_o long_a time_n which_o be_v usual_o 70_o year_n therefore_o whenever_o that_o expression_n of_o augmentation_n occur_v in_o scripture_n we_o must_v understand_v some_o infirmity_n or_o ill_o temper_v from_o which_o a_o man_n be_v deliver_v as_o in_o those_o place_n prov._n 9.11_o and_o 10.27_o for_o if_o a_o man_n keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n though_o he_o shall_v be_v very_o sick_a and_o weak_a yet_o god_n can_v recover_v he_o and_o prolong_v his_o day_n as_o may_v appear_v from_o the_o forecited_a text_n and_o if_o god_n do_v grant_v it_o he_o be_v happy_a and_o arrive_v to_o the_o term_n of_o 70_o or_o 80_o year_n hence_o r._n joel_n ben_n sueb_n in_o lib._n norah_n thehilot_n upon_o those_o word_n of_o david_n psal_n 61.6_o say_v that_o david_n desire_v no_o more_o than_o the_o ordinary_a time_n of_o life_n but_o r._n solomon_n be_v more_o exact_a and_o say_v david_n mean_v by_o generation_n 70_o year_n for_o twice_o 35_o year_n make_v up_o two_o generation_n or_o 70_o year_n this_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o r._n aqutha_n before_o these_o two_o that_o by_o virtue_n and_o good_a action_n life_n be_v increase_v so_o hezekiah_n live_v 15_o year_n long_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o repentance_n for_o he_o be_v but_o 29_o year_n old_a then_o and_o have_v reign_v but_o 14_o year_n hereupon_o the_o rabbin_n say_v that_o god_n augmentation_n be_v more_o than_o the_o principal_a for_o all_o those_o compute_v together_o make_v up_o but_o 58_o year_n so_o that_o he_o do_v not_o live_v to_o the_o ordinary_a term_n of_o 70_o year_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o great_a punishment_n but_o it_o be_v such_o a_o one_o by_o which_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o those_o person_n may_v have_v the_o grant_v of_o a_o long_a life_n who_o deserve_v it_o to_o these_o thing_n belong_v that_o say_v of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a regard_n for_o those_o who_o live_v just_o and_o righteous_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o good_a deed_n and_o therefore_o their_o life_n be_v proportionable_a i._n e._n he_o daily_o increase_v their_o life_n hence_o upon_o those_o word_n of_o moses_n deut._n 31.2_o they_o say_v now_o my_o day_n be_v fulfil_v this_o day_n i_o be_v bear_v and_o this_o day_n i_o shall_v die_v for_o moses_n be_v bear_v and_o die_v upon_o the_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o month_n adar_n so_o likewise_o the_o 365_o year_n of_o enoch_n which_o he_o live_v upon_o earth_n be_v proportion_v to_o the_o 365_o day_n of_o a_o solar_a year_n who_o age_n be_v as_o i_o may_v say_v proportion_v he_o be_v translate_v into_o heaven_n after_o this_o manner_n god_n usual_o consummate_v and_o complete_v the_o day_n of_o the_o just_a therefore_o david_n say_v psal_n 37.18_o the_o lord_n know_v the_o day_n of_o the_o upright_a as_o if_o he_o take_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o every_o day_n according_a to_o these_o man_n the_o reward_n of_o a_o long_a life_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o completion_n of_o 70_o or_o 80_o year_n which_o some_o of_o they_o say_v no_o body_n can_v exceed_v but_o there_o be_v other_o man_n who_o dissent_v from_o these_o for_o r._n nissim_n r._n joseph_n albo_n isaac_n abravanel_n and_o other_o believe_v that_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n be_v supernatural_a and_o for_o that_o reason_n maintain_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o long_a life_n be_v not_o limit_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o 70_o or_o 80_o year_n and_o that_o a_o man_n may_v live_v long_o hence_o a_o certain_a rabbi_n say_v if_o a_o man_n deserve_v it_o his_o two_o generation_n shall_v be_v augment_v if_o not_o they_o shall_v be_v diminish_v this_o opinion_n be_v most_o in_o vogue_n among_o the_o celebrate_a author_n hereupon_o those_o doctor_n who_o approve_v of_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o astrologer_n say_v that_o wherever_o the_o word_n augmentation_n occur_v in_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v mean_v beyond_o the_o end_n determine_v by_o the_o planet_n they_o who_o think_v the_o term_n of_o life_n depend_v upon_o the_o constitution_n say_v that_o god_n by_o a_o certain_a divine_a power_n increase_v the_o radical_a moisture_n hence_o aben_n ezra_n remark_n that_o our_o day_n be_v not_o appoint_v afore_o but_o be_v natural_a and_o that_o nature_n be_v wonderful_o enlarge_v by_o good_a work_n the_o same_o thing_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o r._n mehir_n in_o lib._n urim_n &_o vetumim_n for_o this_o reason_n say_v he_o the_o recession_n of_o the_o sun_n upon_o the_o dial_n be_v give_v by_o god_n as_o a_o token_n to_o hezekiah_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o his_o life_n because_o the_o sun_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o natural_a heat_n upon_o this_o account_n the_o sun_n recee_v and_o reâ—â—cting_v his_o ray_n together_o with_o his_o natural_a heat_n he_o that_o through_o age_n have_v impair_v this_o may_v have_v it_o restore_v and_o as_o it_o be_v grow_v young_a again_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n which_o i_o think_v the_o best_a the_o prolongation_n of_o life_n which_o god_n promise_v do_v exceed_v any_o term_n whether_o complexional_a planetary_a or_o secular_a sect_n 6._o in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v we_o see_v how_o virtue_n and_o piety_n be_v the_o mean_n to_o promote_v the_o radical_a moisture_n in_o men._n as_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o soul_n consist_v in_o goodness_n or_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o virtue_n and_o what_o be_v most_o commendable_a in_o like_a manner_n a_o man_n life_n be_v increase_v and_o renew_v by_o good_a action_n and_o meditation_n on_o god_n law_n now_o that_o life_n be_v enlarge_v by_o piety_n may_v be_v evince_v by_o the_o word_n of_o solomon_n prov._n 10.27_o here_o the_o talmudist_n say_v this_o be_v evident_a from_o experience_n the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n prolong_v day_n he_o say_v this_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n which_o last_v not_o above_o 410_o year_n and_o under_o which_o there_o be_v not_o above_o 13_o priest_n and_o the_o year_n of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v shorten_v he_o speak_v this_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o second_o temple_n which_o continue_v 420_o and_o there_o be_v above_o 300_o priest_n under_o that_o by_o this_o number_n they_o mean_v a_o great_a many_o and_o they_o further_o add_v that_o they_o live_v long_o under_o the_o first_o temple_n than_o they_o do_v under_o the_o second_o because_o they_o be_v more_o holy_a furthermore_o our_o doctor_n assert_v that_o there_o be_v 113_o bone_n and_o nerve_n in_o a_o man_n to_o which_o the_o 113_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n correspond_v hence_o the_o cabalist_n say_v that_o man_n by_o religion_n and_o keep_v god_n commandment_n not_o only_o purify_v their_o body_n so_o that_o of_o terrestrial_a and_o gross_a it_o become_v celestial_a and_o spiritual_a but_o even_o corroborate_v and_o augment_v the_o natural_a heat_n so_o much_o that_o it_o sometime_o become_v immortal_a as_o enoch_n and_o elias_n